Kosovo elects new president, opposition protests

Date of publication: 26 02 2016, 12:54

Kosovo’s Parliament is expected to elect Hashim Thaci, foreign minister and former guerrilla leader, as the next president.

Thaci, who led the fighters of Kosovo’s successful separatist war against Serbia in 1998-99, believes he has the votes in the 120-seat Parliament. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, although that is rejected by Serbia.

Thaci’s election will be held Friday in a tense political situation with hundreds of opposition supporters staying in tents on the main square demanding the government’s resignation and fresh elections.

The opposition has disrupted Parliament since September with tear gas, pepper spray, whistles and water bottles to reject a deal between Kosovo and Serbia, reached last year, which gives more powers to ethnic Serbs in Kosovo. The opposition also rejects a border demarcation pact with Montenegro.